The Sapphire Queen

This week at the British High Commission we are celebrating the 91st birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

This is a milestone in itself.

But February 6 also marked Her Majesty’s Sapphire Anniversary, 65 years since she acceded to the throne of the United Kingdom.

This makes the queen the longest- serving monarch in British history and the world’s longest- reigning living sovereign.

As we celebrate both of those anniversaries this week, it strikes me that the sapphire connection is particularly apt.

The qualities of wisdom, virtue and resilience which Her Majesty embodies have served Britain, the Commonwealth and the world well during the last 65 years.

Her wisdom derives in part no doubt from long experience.

She has after all seen 13 British Prime Ministers during her reign. Her wisdom also comes from a dedication to a life of service to the public in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, during which she has visited over 100 countries.

We also take this moment to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s virtuous commitment to charity.

During her reign she has supported more than 600 charities, from national military and sporting bodies, to local associations, to organisations championing children’s rights, faith, education and the arts. Her Majesty’s support as a patron has been unwavering, highlighting the value of active engagement in society and service to community.

The queen’s steadfast resilience has seen the people of Britain and the Commonwealth nations through times of great change and uncertainty, as well as those of peace and tranquillity.

At the British High Commission we take inspiration from these qualities shown by our “Sapphire Queen.” Wisdom, virtue and resilience provide an excellent guide as we go about our work in developing the partnership between our two countries. Whether in supporting much-needed criminal justice reform, a drive to tackle the cancer of corruption in our countries, efforts to tackle gender- based violence or our support for local charities.

I am delighted that a number of our partners in this country, including bpTT , G4S, Angostura, First Citizens, Atlantic LNG, Oxford Motors, Shell Trinidad Ltd, Unilever, Massy Wood Group and the TT Fine Cocoa Company, are supporting us in making this year’s celebration of Her Majesty’s birthday particularly memorable.

Queen Elizabeth has particularly fond memories of her visits to TT , most recently in 2009 for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, an event which Britain is proud to be hosting in 2018. Her Majesty asked that I send her warm greetings to His Excellency the President, the Government and people of TT as we celebrate her birthday this week.

TIM STEW British High Commissioner